So far, all but one area dealership opened good news. Another was surprised by a reprieve. But for Crown Motors Inc. in Holland, the document unfolded a dreaded wind-down of its Cadillac and Buick franchises.

By June 12, Crown's GM dealership at 196 Regent Blvd. must enter a pact that would provide cash and a gradual shut-down over 17 months. If it balks, GM could fold the dealership into its bankruptcy process, dump it along with other "Old GM" businesses and close it within weeks, not months.

The dealership is studying its response, Brad Siegers, general manager, said by e-mail. One issue: what would really happen if they don't sign the agreement?

Workers at Fox Pontiac Buick GMC could sympathize with Crown's predicament. The GM dealership at 5977 Alpine Ave. NW was among 1,100 franchises that got early-warning letters in mid-May that it would shut down by October 2010.

"We struggled with the decision initially," said Brian Busscher, division director for Fox. "We really didn't expect the letter." After all, its 2008 business had grown 20 percent in a down market.

Fox appealed GM's decision, and on Tuesday, jubilantly learned it had been reversed.

"We were very excited today to get a renewal letter," Busscher said.

Such upheaval is a new experience for dealers who typically are protected by state franchise law. But bankruptcy can upend those rules.

"I think it's difficult for a long-standing businessperson to receive a letter that says, 'We no longer want your business and we no longer need you,' " Terry Burns said. He's executive director of the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association.

"That's very difficult for someone who has met the requirements of the franchise agreement."

Nearly all GM dealers in West Michigan will get to keep their franchises intact, with some tweaking.

"I was up early this morning, to make sure we are part of the New GM," dealer Todd Wenzel said Tuesday. "When I saw 'Congratulations,' I stopped reading."

With a Chevrolet dealership in Hudsonville and Buick Pontiac GMC on 28th Street SE, Wenzel actually opened three agreement documents: two secured his Chevy, Buick, and GMC franchises. The third was a wind-down he already expected, for GM's soon-to-close Pontiac brand.

When that's done, GM will sell four core brands through three divisions, and is encouraging a realignment through its latest franchise adjustment. Buick and GMC ideally would merge into one dealership, while Cadillac and Chevrolet would be marketed by stand-alone dealers.

One caveat of GM's latest pact would ban outside automakers from the dealers' showrooms. That rule nearly produced a double whammy for Wayne Elhart's Pontiac GMC Jeep dealership in Holland.

Last month, Elhart learned Chrysler was cutting its Jeep franchise. When the dust settled, Chrysler effectively had abandoned Holland, Kalamazoo and Saginaw by pulling franchises in those cities.

"As soon as the Jeep letter hit, I called GM," Elhart said.

It was a opportunity he didn't want to miss. With Chrysler's Jeep line moving out Tuesday, Elhart's showroom would be pure GM, a scene he knew the automaker would like.

"That's kind of the way GM wants things lined up in this size market," Elhart said. "Probably two representatives for the GM lineup: one for Chevy, and one for GMC and Buick."

The mixed brands at Crown may have hurt its standing; the Cadillac and Buick dealership also sells Mazdas. Selling Cadillacs also could be tough in this economy.

At the region's only stand-alone Cadillac dealership, Harvey Cadillac in Grand Rapids, owner John Leese was relieved to get a permanent agreement this week.

"We've been told they're going to eliminate a large number of the 1,400 Cadillac dealers," Leese said. "About 400 or 500 do 95 percent of the business."

And the luxury vehicle's competitors at Lexus, Mercedes or BMW have far fewer dealerships to support.

Across 28th Street at Berger Chevrolet, the nation's oldest family-owned Chevy dealership, President Matt Berger believed the landmark business would survive the cuts.

He still was relieved, though, when he read the approval letter.

"I couldn't sign that agreement and send it back quick enough," he said.

Berger said the dealer reductions needed to be done. It is common knowledge in the industry, he said, that GM has far too many dealers.

"The problem," Berger said, "is none of them want to be the guy that has to give it up."